The 12 Best Dry Shampoos Experts Love

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When we can't be bothered to wash our hair or just really want to extend that fabulous blowout for an extra day, dry shampoo can come in handy. With a few spritzes, you walk away feeling—and smelling—fresh again. "Dry shampoo is a great way to save a style and can be a huge time-saver after a workout,” hairstylist Bridget Brager tells Bazaar.

A good dry shampoo is magic. But don’t let its time-saving powers make you skip washing hair altogether. "Dry shampoo does not replace real shampoo, but it’s a perfect placeholder,” says Brager. “We know that scalp care is skin care, and just like you’d wash your face to remove debris from your pores, you have to do the same for your scalp, which is where healthy hair starts.”

Using dry shampoo is fairly simple. Experts recommend sectioning hair and spraying at least six inches away for each part. After it sets in for about 20 seconds, go in and brush to evenly distribute the product throughout. "Don’t spray one spot too long," says Brager. "It can cause a buildup of product."

Worried about any potentially harmful chemicals that might be in those formulas? Don’t be. There are plenty of safe options out there. "Dry shampoos with earth-friendly and cleaner ingredients like rice powder or natural clay are safe to use and effective,” says hairstylist and founder of his eponymous brand Frédéric Fekkai. “We vote for kaolin clay, used to make porcelain and also found in luxury skincare, because the ultra-fine particles absorb excess oils, dirt, and odor from the scalp without causing clogging buildup.”

With all that in mind, Brager and Fekkai break down everything we should know about dry shampoos and give their picks of the best—and safest—ones to shop right now. Below, shop 12 of the most effective dry shampoos—all expert-approved.

No.4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo

Olaplex makes some of our favorite hair-healing products, so we were super curious about their new take on dry shampoo. This formula is by far the lightest on this list, and it doesn't leave that tell-tale powdery finish on hair. Micro starches help absorb oil without causing buildup that can inhibit healthy hair growth, and the brand's patented bond-building technology helps repair damage with each spritz. If you hate the feeling of dry shampoo, this is the one to try.

Customer Review: "I love this dry shampoo!! I use dry shampoo all the time. I liked that this one didn’t feel like it caused my scalp to have a lot of build up. I have a very sensitive scalp so some dry shampoos tend to make my head itch and this didn’t." —SierraSparkle

Dry Shampoo Dark Tones

If you're a fan of Moroccanoil's iconic treatment oil, you'll love this oil-absorbing spray that boasts the same signature scent and argan oil, but with rice starch to draw out excess oil in the hair.

Customer Review: "I LOVE this dry shampoo. I didn’t know how to use it at first, but if I use it when my hair just starts to go limp/flat/shows the first signs of grease or heaviness, not only does it revive it back right away but it extends my wash for several days after. Those days will have full, bouncy hair that looks like I didn’t miss any wash days." —nyfashionista

Perfect hair Day Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo

Living Proof's advanced version of their cult-favorite dry shampoo helps balance the scalp's sebum for fresher hair now and over time. It's the one dry shampoo on this list to try if you're seriously oily.

Customer Review: "I have tried many many dry shampoos. They all break my scalp out and seem to make my hair worse. This is absolutely amazing!!! It has worked so well and no issues what so ever! It gives me volume and my hair looks and feels clean too!!!" —Kendall S.

Gro Dry Shampoo

Vegamour's Gro Dry Shampoo utilizes the same properties as its popular hair maintenance essentials, and uses plant-based phytoactives to absorb excess scalp oil.

Customer review: "It has a nice fragrance, and doesn’t leave a white residue on my hair. It’s great for adding volume, or absorbing oil when I don’t have time to wash my hair. Very happy with this product." —Michelle Z.

Clean Stylers transparent Dry Shampoo

This invisible spray contains good-for-your-hair ingredients like apple extract to reduce shedding and kaolin clay, which calms scalp irritation and balances the pH of chemically-treated hair, Fekkai says.

Customer Review: "I love it. I have very dark brown hair and a lot of dry shampoos leave visible residue but this one combs out great. For me this seems to last way longer in my hair that a lot of other dry shampoos I've tried. A bit pricey, but I'm willing to do that for the results." —Anonymous

Original Dry Shampoo

With over 14,000 5-star reviews, this affordable dry shampoo adds body and texture, while removing the look of oil in seconds. Reviews advise to thoroughly rub in the white powder.

Customer Review: "I have dark brown hair that is thin. It gets greasy after a day. I used this on day two and it kept my hair ungreasy looking for legit 2 days. The white powder needs a good rub in since I have dark hair but it works well and the bottle is massive!! Used very little for the amount of time this worked. I would recommend!" —Holly

Vapor Lotion To Powder Dry Shampoo

Hate the feeling of a chalky, drying powder? Opt for a lotion-to-powder formula. R+Co Bleu's weightless option not only addresses greasy hair, but it also reduces frizz and helps detangle hair with the brand's molecule complex and radish root ferment, respectively. Rub a small amount between your fingers and work into roots (this also adds texture and volume).

Customer Review: "Smells like heaven. I’ve used this product in a preventive manner as opposed to using after my hair is greasy from being active, so I’m uncertain how if would perform on already very oily hair. I’m so happy to find this spray-alternative as I don’t want to breathe in more dry shampoo aerosols and am tired of white cast messes. This product keeps oil at bay and there’s no powdery mess." —AnnikaMM

Hair Refresher

This refreshing dry shampoo won't weigh your hair down, and has a fresh scent that reviewers are raving about.

Customer Review: "I am obsessed with this dry shampoo. I have tried soooo many different dry shampoo products and nothing comes close to this dry shampoo. It does the trick and it really holds in the oil after three days of not washing my hair. It's definitely worth the price! You won't regret it." —Manda

Refresh+ Dry Shampoo

Look for a dry shampoo that has ingredients that benefit your scalp, says Brager, who recommends Rodan + Fields's dry shampoo that has chamomile extract to calm and soothe skin. "Bonus that it gives you incredible body and washes out easily," she adds.

Customer Review: "I love this dry shampoo. It refreshes my thin, often oily hair and doesn’t weigh it down. Definitely my new favorite!" —Trish_Yesalonis

Perk Up Talc-Free Dry Shampoo

Users say this dry shampoo is easy to use and requires little elbow greasy to blend into hair. It has natural rice starch to deliver a bouncy style and sea buckthorn, which is packed with vitamin C, vitamin A, and fatty acids, to nourish hair between wash days.

Customer Review: "Finally picked up one of these and OMG it is so worth the hype. I have tried a lot of different ones so far, and hate the heavy feeling that you are left with when using certain formulas. THIS DOES THE OPPOSITE!! My scalp and hair feels refreshed and clean and light." —Melody A.

The Dry Shampoo

Just when you thought applying dry shampoo couldn't be chic and luxurious, Crown Affair launched its innovative take on refreshing hair. This superfine powder comes with a kabuki brush to lightly dust the formula into roots while Japanese persimmon powder acts as a natural deodorizer.

Customer Review: "I really enjoy using this product. I mainly use it in the front of my hair (hairline and bangs) and dust a little on my center part and the sides, so I don't have problems working this into my hair like some other reviewers mention. I find that it does just the job of keeping me looking less oily on the days that I don't wash my hair. " —Archie123

Style + Protect Refresh & Go Dry Shampoo

For under $10, snag this shine-boosting dry shampoo that can be used days in a row without building up on the scalp. Pro tip: Let the product sit for 30 to 60 seconds to fully absorb oil before working into roots.

Customer Review: "Smells good and lasts longer than any other dry shampoo I’ve ever used. Totally with the cost. I’m blonde so I haven’t noticed any problems with white residue but that misfit be something to consider if you have darker hair." —hayleyk1

What does dry shampoo do to hair?

Dry shampoos absorb excess oil and sweat from the hair and scalp, which gives the appearance of clean, fresh hair. They can be a lifesaver if you’re in a time crunch to extend your hairstyle, in humid climates, or between wash days. Dry shampoo can also be used to add texture and volume when styling. Some dry shampoos contain technology that actually capture oil and remove it from the scalp, but will need to be applied with extra care. Be sure to always read the instructions on the dry shampoo bottle.

Is using dry shampoo good for your hair?

Dry shampoo can do wonders for extending wash days and refresh the hair. However, it shouldn't be a replacement for regular shampooing because "it doesn’t remove oil, pollution, scalp flakes, or product buildup from the scalp and hair," Fekkai warns. "This buildup combined with dry shampoo can clog the hair follicles, leading to scalp irritation, inflammation, increased hair fall and thinning of the hair shaft as nutrients are blocked from the follicle."

Experts wax poetic that scalp care is alike skin care. "Just like you would wash your face to remove debris from your pores, you must make sure to do the same for your scalp, which is where healthy hair starts," says Brager. Try a scalp scrub or clarifying shampoo weekly to ensure no dry shampoo residue is left behind.

How often should you use dry shampoo?

Resist the urge to use dry shampoo every day, experts say. "I recommend using dry shampoo no more than two or three days in a row," Brager explains. "Make sure it is evenly distributed." Before applying dry shampoo, the stylist suggests brushing hair using a boar bristle brush to help move around product (without contributing to frizz) that may be sitting on the scalp; then go in with dry shampoo.

How can you avoid white residue from dry shampoo?

While white residue is pretty normal when wearing dry shampoo, some types are less likely to leave marks. "Avoid talc or tapioca-based dry shampoos," Fekkai says. But if your current dry shampoo rotation leaves a residue, don't worry. There are a few ways to mitigate the white hue. "Spray the dry shampoo on your roots the night before, then the dry shampoo will absorb the oil, and your pillowcase will shake away the white cast," Fekkai adds.

Another tip is to avoid spraying heavily directly to the top of your hair. "Instead, start at ear level and lift layers of the hair, spraying gradually upward." And when it doubt, flash cool air from your hair dryer to disperse any traces of white. "Fingers have a lot of natural oils, and using your hands to rub away the residue inadvertently adds more oil," Fekkai says.

Meet The Experts

• Bridget Brager is a celebrity hairstylist who works with clients like Priyanka Chopra, Kristen Stewart, and Zoey Deutch.

• Frédéric Fekkai is a renowned hairstylist, salon owner, and founder of his eponymous haircare brand.

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